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Industry
The age old industry of the state is cottage industry
which plays a vital role in the village's economy. Cottage industries
which deserve emphasis are (1) weaving and dyeing (2) work in cane (3)
work in wood, blacksmithy, pottery and excavation of salt,
pulp and paper mill.
Spinning and weaving were the only significant industry
in the Naga hills until independence. The Aos, Rengmas and Lothas used
to grow cotton sufficient, not only for their own requirements but surplus
even to be given to the neighbouring tribes. In recent years, however,
mill made yarn, by virtue of its easy availability and cheapness is steadily
substituting the thread, spun locally. In course of time, indigenous
spinning would probably become extinct unless the Nagas switched over
to modern techniques. Weaving, however, continues to be popular. All Naga
girls are expected to know weaving and they normally produce at home the
necessary cloth for the family. Among the modern girls, the art of weaving
is not particularly fashionable, though they know the working principles
of it. The loom is a simple tension loom. It is exclusively a woman's
possession and a man may not touch it. In fact, both spinning and weaving
are the monopoly of women. In the head-hunting days, a woman was not expected
to weave while her husband was on a raid lest his feet got entangled
in jungle and he was killed by the enemy. Dyeing was also done by women
only. A man who violated this rule, it was said, would not have any luck
in hunting or fishing. Now a days chemical dyes are gradually replacing
the indigenous colours.
The state is trying to encourage small-scale and cottage industries.
This will reduce the pressure on land, ensure a larger employment potential
and lead to a balanced regional development. Weaving training-cum-production
centres have been set up at Mokokchung and Dimapur, a Cottage industries
training-cum-production centre has come up at Mon, and a cottage industries
training centre at Aghunato. Industries like soap-making, candle-making,
bee-keeping are also being raised. A significant landmark has been the
setting up of an industrial Estate at Dimapur.
Three medium-level industries have been established
by the government for the development of Industrial Sector. The Nagaland
sugar mill at Dimapur has an installed capacity of 1,000 tonnes
of cane per day. There is a pulp and paper mill at Tuli and plywood
Factory at Tizet. In 1986, a Khandsari mill was commissioned. In
1988, a mechanized bricks plant was commissioned at Dimapur. A TV Assembly
unit has also come up at Dimapur. These projects have provided employment
opportunities to a large number of youths.
Trade
Earlier there was very little trade, except some in beads
and shells. Now, Nagaland exports cotton, jute, timber, forest
produce, chilies, and oil seeds and imports groceries and food stuffs,
drugs and medicines, textile goods, utensils, furniture etc. |
